Rendering a 3D portrait of a log using photogrammetry

Imagery of wood has long been key to laminate panel production, with decor papers printed from high quality photos of wood species, after which they are bonded to panel underlays.

The advent of high definition printing techniques, followed by the addition of embossing in register - to give the haptic (i.e. tactile) quality to those printed surfaces - makes wood imagery ever more important.

The accompanying videos began as still images of two wood items - a log, and a dried root - that are then converted into videos using photogrammetry, the science of making measurements from photographs and capturing the exact positions of surface points. The stills are visible at the outset of each video, as individual flashed shots.

Photogrammetry may also be used to recover the motion pathways of designated reference points on any moving object, on its components, and in the immediately adjacent environment.

Photogrammetric analysis may be applied to one photograph, or may use high-speed photography and remote sensing to detect, measure and record complex 2-D and 3-D motion fields

"The output of photogrammetry is typically a map, drawing, measurement, or a 3D model of some real-world object or scene," notes Photogrammetry.com. Many of the maps are created with photogrammetry and photographs taken from aircraft.

Close-range Photogrammetry the camera is close to the subject and is typically hand-held or on a tripod.

Visual creative Oliver Weingarten shows the application of photogrammetry - the science of making measurements from photographs - to show a 3D portrait of a log.

Weingarten says he is still exploring the boundaries of photogrammetry and trying to push limits. In addition to the log shown at top, he has done "an even more complex shape of an old and dry root I found."

Usually this type of photogrammetry is non-topographic - that is, the output is not topographic products like terrain models or topographic maps, but instead drawings, 3D models, measurements and point clouds. Everyday cameras are used to model and measure buildings, engineering structures, forensic and accident scenes, mines, earth-works, stock-piles, archaeological artifacts, film sets, etc. This type of photogrammetry (CRP for short) is also sometimes called Image-Based Modeling.

About the Author:

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers.